Desk Based Assessments (often incorporate walkover surveys) are usually prepared in advance of developments to assess the likelihood of the presence or absence of any physical archaeological remains such as buried deposits, buildings or burials. A variety of sources are studied including historic maps, documentary resources, geological information, historic aerial photographs, local knowledge and existing known information from the wider landscape. This data is brought together and an assessment is then made of the archaeological potential of the development area.

Should proposed development require the alteration or demolition of an existing historic structure, it is likely you will require a degree of Historic Building Recording. Depending upon the requirements of the planning authority, this will involve a detailed photographic record of the structure and analytical assessment supplemented by drawings as required.

Archaeological evaluations are a common requirement of planning conditions in advance of developments and are usually requested in advance of development when the planning authority has evidence to suggest that archaeological features may be present. In practice an evaluation involves the excavation of a set number of trenches in an organised manner across the proposed development area. These trenches are used as a representative sample to assess the presence or otherwise of archaeology across a site.